Liberty’s Rebounding Troubles: A Persistent Challenge

The New York Liberty, once co-champions of the WNBA for rebounding prowess, are facing significant struggles on the boards this season. As the team approaches the final stretch of the regular season, their rebounding statistics raise crucial questions about their competitiveness and readiness for the playoffs.

Current Rebounding Stats

• Average Opponent Rebounds: 2.5 more boards than the Liberty per game
• Offensive Boards Allowed: 10 per game (the highest in the league)
• Second-Chance Points Allowed: 12.1 per game (the second most)

This decline in rebounding effectiveness comes as a surprise, especially considering the Liberty’s shared title with the Chicago Sky for best rebounding team just last season.

The Impact of Injuries

The recent loss to the Sky highlighted the Liberty’s rebounding inefficiencies. In this game, New York was outrebounded 42-27. A notable absence in the lineup, Breanna Stewart, whose average of 6.5 rebounds per game is sorely missed, has left a gap in the team’s rebounding capabilities that is difficult to fill.

Team Responsibility

While star players like Stewart and Jonquel Jones typically play significant roles in rebounding, the Liberty’s issues extend beyond individual performances.

Sabrina Ionescu emphasized the need for collective effort, stating, "It’s tough. It doesn’t always fall in the hands of the bigs. I think guards have to get in there and try to help them." This collective responsibility highlights the necessity for all players, regardless of position, to engage in defensive efforts, particularly in rebounding.

Strategies Moving Forward

As the Liberty prepare to face the Atlanta Dream—currently leading the league with an average of 36.2 rebounds per game—immediate improvements are essential. Key strategies to implement include:

• Boxing Out: Both bigs and guards must focus on effectively boxing out opponents to secure the ball.
• Team Effort: Emphasizing a unified approach will help with securing 50-50 balls that can greatly influence game outcomes.
• Active Participation: Encouraging guards to dive for rebounds, which may require them to adjust their typical offensive roles.

Leonie Fiebich pointed out, "We’ve got to do a better job as the bigs boxing out and then guards flying in," urging for a renewed focus on fundamentals in rebounding.

Upcoming Challenges

Facing the Dream presents a critical opportunity for the Liberty to rectify their rebounding woes. With players like Brionna Jones and Brittney Griner on the opposing team, the Liberty will need to bring their very best effort to compete effectively on the boards.

Winning the rebounding battle will be crucial for the Liberty’s success in the upcoming game on Saturday, and as players adjust their strategies, the hope remains that they can return to their previous form.

By addressing these challenges head-on, the Liberty can work towards reclaiming their dominant status on the boards and heading into the playoffs with confidence.

For more insights and updates on the Liberty, check out WNBA.com for the latest game analyses and statistics.